BOMB IN COALBOX.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 9

BOMB IN COALBOX.

CAUSE OF GRATE EXPLOSION. EX-SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)' CHRISTCHUR.CH, Friday. Although explosives or detonators in the coal were blamed at the time for an explosion in a house in Gloucester Street, in which Mr. J. W. Gallagher and his wife were injured, it is now stated' that the explosion was actually caused by a Mills bomb which fell into the coal and exploded when it was put on the fire. Mr. Gallagher had a Mills bomb which he had brought back from the war as a souvenir and which he had been told was quite safe because the charge had been taken out. The bomb was in a tin in the shed where the coal was kept, and apparently it fell into the coalbox, and was put on the .fire with the coal. The explosion was particularly violent, burying pieces of metal in the wall. These pieces of metal were found subsequently to be parts of a bomb. Mr, and Mrs. Gallagher were both taken to the hospital, and although Mr. Gallagher was soon discharged his wife, who had a piece of bomb in one foot, was detained for some time.